Arts & Culture

Modesto is quickly becoming the center of the 209 Pop Culture Community with 3 Annual Cons all taking place at the Modesto Centre Plaza. Central Valley Con brought to us by the Godfather of conventions Mike Millerick returns for it's Second Year on December 4th.

2015 was the first year Modesto was host to "comic convention" and since that time it has become home to 3 Central Valley Con, Modesto Con, and Classic Comic Con. Add to these Colossus Con in Merced, Grape City Con in Lodi, Tracy Comic Con and the grandaddy of them all Stockton-Con and in the works Turlock Comic Con. Can the area sustain so many Conventions? Well the turnouts, for the most part, would suggest yes.

In celebration of National Archives Month, archives and special collections libraries from throughout the region will showcase their rarely-seen holdings during the 6th annual Sacramento Archives Crawl on Saturday, October 8, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free and open to the public, the theme for the event this year is A Thirst for History. Showcasing historic treasures from 25 Northern California institutions, numerous special artifacts will be on public display for one-day-only at four host locations, including the California State Archives, the California State Library, the Center for Sacramento History, and the Sacramento Public Library.

Seventeen Years of Celebrating local Musicians, Comedians, and Venues; that is right the mamas turn 17 this year. Voting has gone live and all the #mamanees are hoping you will choose them in their respective category. Everything from Alternative Rock to Jazz, Metal to Americana is represented in the Modesto Area Music Awards. Take a moment to go to www.modestoareamusic.com/vote and check out all the #mamanees and vote for your favorites. Voting ends midnight October 9th.

Fascinated by railroading history? Interested in working on a train? Enjoy meeting people from all over the world?

California State Parks, the California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park (SHP) are now recruiting adults (18 or older) who are interested in volunteering to help communicate and inspire others about the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush. A special, drop-in Volunteer Open House is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Stanford Gallery located at 111 I Street in Old Sacramento (next door to the California State Railroad Museum). Volunteer applications are being accepted now through July 1 and will be followed by an interview process.

Sometimes the stars align and everything just goes your way. I also write for the ModestoView and know that they cover BOTTLEROCK every year so I asked the Editor Chris Murphy, if he had a chance could he check out a Vespa for me up in Napa. He thought I was going and asked if I wanted to ride up with them. I explained I was not. He asked if I wanted to go? There was an extra media pass and room and board already taking care of. The Gallo Center for the Arts was dark for Memorial Day weekend, I had no other plans so, Yes Please. Left early on Friday morning and the drive was pretty easy going until we got to Napa. We pull up to the street on the backside of the Fairgrounds and tell the CHP that we are staying on 4th. Half a block from the entrance. Load in and I am informed that I will be staying in the Hunter S. Thompson room.

Modesto Con tickets sales went live online for $4, Saturday at noon. Excitement and anticipation for the event to already be here is palatable.

Modesto Con will be happening on July 9th and 10th at the Modesto Centre Plaza. This is the first two day Pop Culture Convention to happen in the Modesto Area.

Modesto Con also announced it's first celebrity guest, Doug Jones, best known for his rolls in the Hellboy series(Abe Sapien), Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer(Silver Surfer), Pans Labyrinth(Pan and the Pale Man), along with roles in DOOM, Batman Returns, Tank Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Arrow and so much more. I personally am thrilled and delighted to see him come to Modesto. More guest will be announced soon.

What else can you expect at Modesto Con? Artists, a wide varity of vendors, cosplayers, the 501st Central Valley Garrison, the Batmobile and that is just the tip of the "Iceburg".

Lodi, Calif. – The Grape City Con, returns to the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds on Saturday, February 13, 2016. The one-day pop culture convention will run from 10am-4pm. The first Grape City Con, held this past February exceeded expectations with over 2,500 fans turning out for the event.